Teambuild!

Last Friday the team from Whole Foods Market PDX Hollywood (minus a couple…we missed you!) made the trek up to Alaffia HQ for their team build. We kicked off the good times with a tour of the warehouse, led by Olowo-n’djo Tchala, with cameo appearances from a few others on the Alaffia team.

The Whole Foods Hollywood team from left to right: Jess, Izzy, Justeen, Olowo-n'djo, Lisa, Manda, and Jo.

The team getting hair-net fancy for their date with the warehouse.

 The group wove their way through the warehouse, making stops at the shipping area (where national distribution magic happens), receiving docks (the landing place for all things ‘raw ingredient’  the moment it arrives here direct from our co-ops in Togo. Regulars here are stacks of red palm oil stretching nearly to the ceiling, and pallets loaded with blocks of unrefined Shea.), the gym and basketball court (Three cheers for employee wellness!), the packaging area (If employee wellness was exciting, how much better is completely recyclable packaging, free of toxins, that’s locally sourced?)

Next up was the Alaffia kitchen. And just what was on the menu? A fresh batch of our newest addition to the Everyday Coconut family, the facial care line.

Jo and Manda checking our raw Black Soap.

While Olowo-n'djo explains the traditional process of making it.

Scoping out some unrefined Kpangan and Cocoa butter.

 The warehouse tour concluded with a stroll through our stock aisles, filled with products from all our lines, Beautiful Curls to Africa’s Secret, and brimming with baskets.  

The day at the office wrapped up in the conference room where Olowo-n’djo provided a presentation on Alaffia’s history, how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. Rose provided training on the new EDC face care line, and provided insight on product formulation.

The night was topped off with a trip to the Tchala farm, where a bounty of traditional Togolese fare was prepared by none other than Olowo-n’djo and Rose themselves, with the star ingredient: Red Palm Oil.

Manda and Justeen got serious about the kabob process.

Bon Apetite!

Thanks to the Hollywood team for joining with us in community last week. We enjoyed our time with you! And congratulations Lisa, on the soon to be little one!